Music
Cartel Madras are changing the face of rap music
Two of a kind — The Chennai-born, Calgary-raised rap duo discuss finding their feet in an industry dominated by men, and why a salacious sense of humour is at the heart of everything they do.
Written by: Thomas Hobbs
Joy Crookes is challenging perceptions of identity
‘I feel an urgency to be heard’ — Ahead of the release of her debut album, the 22-year-old singer talks resisting the erasure of Black and brown women’s voices and leaning into her Bangladeshi roots.
Written by: Bethan Harper
Lord Apex is always evolving
In partnership with Element — To mark his appearance at Element x Hotel Radio Paris, the London MC explains why he’s never been one to follow the crowd.
Written by: Charlotte Rawlings
Photos capturing the rise of South London‘s dubstep scene
Drumz of the South — A new photo book traces the birth of dubstep in its early years between 2004 and 2007, and the pioneers who helped make the sound a global phenomenon.
Written by: Vuyokazi Mtukela
Injury Reserve on a future without Groggs
‘He was the heart of the band‘ — Over a year ago, hip hop band Injury Reserve tragically lost one of its three members. Now, amid the release of their new album, the band’s remaining artists, Ritchie With A T and Parker Corey, are facing up to and finding ways to honour the late rapper’s legacy.
Written by: Thomas Hobbs
Common is starting his own beautiful revolution
‘Biden must be held to account‘ — Ahead of the release of his new album, the 49-year-old rapper talks mixing his art with politics, and working alongside music’s greats.
Written by: Jeremy Allen
Photos celebrating 48 years of hip hop and its pioneers
The Elements — On hip hop’s 48th anniversary, photographer Joe Conzo Jr. has curated a special collection of seldom-seen photographs that embody the culture of the genre and its roots.
Written by: Miss Rosen
How Brainchild defied the odds with this year’s festival
Dancing through the rain — This year, a pandemic and flash floods posed unprecedented challenges for the not-for-profit festival’s organisers – but this did little to dampen the spirits of attendees.
Written by: Ben Smoke and Daisy Schofield
The anthology celebrating 45 years of hip hop and art
Sound of the streets — A newly-released multimedia collection chronicles the growth of hip hop and its surrounding culture from the parks of the Bronx to its becoming a global phenomenon.
Written by: Miss Rosen
London artist Nayana IZ is writing her own story
Ignite the feeling — The 20-year-old musician and NiNE8 collective affiliate talks history, heritage and how her family have influenced her output.
Written by: Charlotte Rawlings